"also spelled σφυρίς, a basket, handbasket for provision, Mt. 15:37; 16:10; Mk. 8:8, 20; Acts 9:25*"
Definition and meaning
also spelled σφυρίς, a basket, handbasket for provision, Mt. 15:37; 16:10; Mk. 8:8, 20; Acts 9:25*
In the original Greek the word is written: σπυρίς
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of spyris (G4711) across the King James Bible.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
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Common questions
Strong's G4711 (spyris) is a Greek word that means: also spelled σφυρίς, a basket, handbasket for provision, Mt. 15:37; 16:10; Mk. 8:8, 20; Acts 9:25* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word spyris (G4711) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4711 is spyris, a Greek word defined as: also spelled σφυρίς, a basket, handbasket for provision, Mt. 15:37; 16:10; Mk. 8:8, 20; Acts 9:25*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
spyris is a Greek word found in the New Testament.